Have you heard our new radio adverts?

My name is Alexander. I live in Ukraine. I am sixty-seven.

"When the conflict began, my sons had to leave. I hid hungry in my bathtub as shells flew overhead. Age International changed everything. They look after me with regular food drop offs, and I get regular visitors too. There is good in this world. I hope it brings peace."

Due to conflict in Ukraine, millions of people have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety. Older people and their families who have been able to reach neighbouring countries require specialist support. 

For those left behind, like Alexander, the situation was and is particularly perilous. Research carried out by our partner, HelpAge, in early 2022 showed that:

• 91% of older people reported that they did not have enough food to eat 
• 79% of older people reported that they did not have access to sufficient clean drinking water
• 34% of older people required urgent medication for their chronic illnesses

We have been working in Ukraine to support older people affected by the conflict since 2014, and so are uniquely placed to deliver an emergency response to the crisis in the region.

Working with our partner HelpAge and local volunteers, we have been able to provide many older people like Alexander with life-saving essentials such as food, medicine, and health support.

We are a Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) member, and we're the only member with a focus on older people. This means we work to support older people wherever a relevant DEC Appeal is launched - from the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, to the Turkey-Syria Earthquakes, to the Pakistan Floods. Read more about our work to deliver emergency aid to older people.

* Details of Alexander's story were adapted to create the radio advert. The quote is a composite to represent our work with local partners in the region. We hired an older person based in Ukraine to portray the voice of Alexander.

I am Agatha. I live in Uganda. And I am sixty seven.

"My husband died. My daughters moved away. I was alone. Age International changed everything. They fund a local group which connected me with other older people. I am looked after and enjoy singing classes. I used to know no-one. Now the whole community knows me!"

Agatha's story represents our work to establish and advocate for Older People's Associations (OPAs) around the world.

We work with HelpAge to set up these self-help clubs where older people can access health check-ups, get advice on generating income, build social networks and find out information on their rights.

We bring older people like Agatha together in clubs and groups, where they can meet people, and put their skills and experience to good use for the benefit of the wider community.

Older People's Associations can be comprised exclusively of older people, or open to all ages. They exist in various countries such as Kenya, Mozambique, Vietnam and Indonesia, and are delivered through both trained community workers and volunteers.

Older People's Associations are proven to improve the health outcomes of older people by providing them with information, resources, and opportunities to make decisions affecting their own lives.

* Details of Agatha's story were adapted to create the radio advert. The quote is a composite to represent our work with local partners and Older People's Associations. We hired a professional voiceover artist to portray Agatha.